User reviews

An abstract and embarrassing film set in a far future, the year 9177. World is limited to a high skycraper in middle of a barren landscape, surrounded by small isolated slums and ruined shacks where live the lower classes . At the building lives the upper class and governs an absented-mind king, a mayor, a management staff, while two Guardias Civiles watch and control by entering through the multitude of doors at the skycraper. Other peculiar characters are the hairdressers, a veteran shepherd caring his sheep across the corridors , a bartender, a nun, a priest and a man who attempts to sell lemonade. Then, there takes place a riot, and the hapless people living outskirts the building enter at the skycraper to reckoning against the powerful rulers.

This is a disconcerting flick providing Spanish star-studded, including a numerous cast with 20 protagonists, at least. Standing out the following ones : Roberto Alamo, Blanca Suarez, Iñaqui Ardenaz, Manolo Solo, Antonio de la Torre . And Tv stars and presenters as Berto Romero, Eva Hache, Andreu Buenafuente who also produced. And other secondaries in brief appearances as Secun De La Rosa, Gabino Diego, Saturnino Garcia, Carlos Areces and a singer : Miguel Rios, among others. Director Jose Luis Cuerda shows his special sense of humor in which blends social as well as political critique, life, death, religion, fight of classes and upheavals. The picture relies heavily on repetitive situations, silly happenings, long speeches, sentences without sense and absurd deeds. This film belongs to a surrealist trilogy made in similar style : first the successful Amanece que no es poco 1989 and Asi en el cielo como en la tierra 1995, these movies provide the peculiar absurd humor of this good filmmaker Jose Luis Cuerda.

It packs a luxurious and colorful cinematography by Pau Esteve. And lively, enjoyable score by notorious composer Lucio Godoy. This film was written by Jose Luis Cuerda who also produced and directed, as usual. Cuerda is an expert professional, being his film debut Pares y Nones, a typical Madrid comedy. He subsequently made El Bosque Animado with writings by Rafael Azcona and himself, being based on Wenceslao Fernandez Florez novel. He followed shooting drama : La viuda del Capitan Contreras and more and more comedies as Tocando Fondo and La Marrana. His biggest hits correspond as a producer, as he produced for Alejandro Amenabar : Tesis and Abre Los Ojos. His highest acclaimed film as a director was Lengua de las Mariposas that won various Goya Awards, prizes and niminations. Rating 5.5/10. Passable.

Surreal humor moved to an uncertain future world, but no less philosophical and reflective

It's hard to say if it's the worst movie ever, but I can say for sure that at least it's in top 3. The movie is full with the best of Spanish's actors, seriously, the cast is awesome, but there's no way of saying a single good thing about this "movie". The plot has no sense, the acting is weird, the tempo is slow, the dialogs are simply rubbish, etc. you name a bad thing about a movie and you'll find it here.

It may seem that everything is Ok with this film: social message, good acting, good cinematography, clever dialogs, but...but..It is too boring.

I can say that one of my few regrets is depriving myself of the time spent watching this pseudo-movie. It's beyond belief that someone on this planet would spend time and money to produce such a tacky, embarrasing, monumental waste of time. This "movie" is capable only to transform a pacifist like my own self into a heavy-breathing beast ready to medievally punish whoever contributed to this fiasco. I want my time and my good disposition back!

It is not Amanece que no es poco but is close. Rural Spanish surrealism . José Luis Cuerda at his best.

This film is for people who think, for those who appreciate the parable, subversive humor, stinging references to the system, politics, history, class struggle, manipulation and lying, for those who taste multiple meanings, and last but not least because it reminds us by Felini, Eugen Ionesco, Jodorowski, Boris Vian, Peter Greenaway, Monty Python and ... yes, Brazil. It is a work spiced with absurd elements, but which can be decoded into several keys, depending on your age, intelligence, sense of humor, knowledge and life experience that you have.

When it comes to social comentary this movie is right on the money. While this obviously is playing in the distant (or near?) future, this also is depicting the present and past and class structures. It is absurd and funny at the same time. It also is quite light.

At the same time some of its themes are quite heavy. Which is to be expected. The movie is surreal and strange to a degree that might annoy you, if you are not into this sort of thing. Maybe watch the trailer to be sure you can handle it ... if you do, there is much fun to be had

The follow up to "Amanece que no es poco" is another satire far more aggressive and deeper than the original. The critic about Spanish capitalism, class struggle and how the richer engulfs the lower classes almost on the Marxist level. Church is the another target too. Cuerda made an interesting film and if you are able to follow up the dialogs and classic literature it is even better; however it is obviously not for everybody even if you are Spanish born. A repetitive viewing could help get some of the jokes but those looking for light comedy will be frustrated and it was on the original. In brief; interesting and leave you thinking a lot. It is not as leftitest as it seems but is far from conservative.